Cataract removal - new lenses.

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Merlin
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Cataract removal - new lenses.

Post by Merlin »

Been having a lot of problems shooting iron sights the past couple of years so I (finally) scheduled with a specialist to have them checked out. My eye Dr. informed me it was time to get the cataracts removed from my eyes. I understand this is a pretty typical procedure for older people. I would ask those in the know how this affected their shooting and if there are specifics I need to be aware of. I have not spoken to a DR. who performs these procedures and would feel better if I know some specifics to allow me to ask the right questions prior to my visit in a couple of weeks.
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Re: Cataract removal - new lenses.

Post by cslcAl »

Merlin,

I struggled with poor vision for years. Finally my eye Dr said it was time to remove the cataracts. I did a lot of research and talked to other shooters who had the procedure. Everyone steered me to blended lenses with distance in the right eye and intermediate in the left. Don’t get multi focal they don’t work for shooting. Both my eye Dr and surgeon concurred. It’s been five years and mine work very well for me. I don’t need glasses to shoot or drive or watch TV. I do need readers to read.
By all means study up on your own and talk to others for more opinions. They are your eyes and you need to feel comfortable with the decision you make.
Just make sure your Dr knows you are a shooter and if he screws up your eyes you could still gut shoot him. (Joke)

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Re: Cataract removal - new lenses.

Post by JohnHenry »

Merlin, I've had good vision all my life. So, when I developed cataracts, it was tough to deal with. I went to an eye surgeon in Overland Park, KS, who is rated no. 6 in the nation. I told him I was a shooter using iron sights. He said he knew just what to do. For my right eye (shooting eye), he used a far distance lens. My vision in that eye is now 20/15. I have no trouble seeing the target or sights as I use an aperture front sight.

For the left eye, he used a multi focus lens. I can read fine print if I hold the text about 10 inches from my eye. The closeup part of the lens is great at that distance. My far distance vision is good in the left eye,20/20, but not as sharp as the right eye for distance. With this lens, I normally don't have to wear glasses for close up unless it is fine print.

I might add that the surgeon used a premium lens for each eye. I firmly believe it is worth the extra cost. After all, it is your vision, and normally, they only do the operation once. Have confidence in your surgeon or don't use him. Find someone else.
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Re: Cataract removal - new lenses.

Post by Merlin »

Feeling better after hearing of both of your experiences. I know it's common as mud but I have to say I'm a little apprehensive about someone fooling around in my eyeball...

I had great vision until I didn't..... At this years Drue Wands shoot it really came home to me. I saw a black line on the rail instead of individual targets. Kind of takes some of the fun out of it all.
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Re: Cataract removal - new lenses.

Post by dhatch »

Merlin. I really hope all ends well with this. I’d really hate that you didn’t come around anymore. You are more fun to have around than that Arkansas Razorback that got smoked at the Drew Wands.
And to really enjoy the best tournament of silhouette on indoor dirt, come to the Coop Shoot. Besides silhouette we will have a running deer apparatus that has started to generate interest.
One fella asked if we could turn the lights off and shine a spotlight on it. Said he’d beat anyone like that. I said we could do that!
It’s a side game and this year will be the the Cock of the Walk competition. Shoot it with any .177 caliber air rifle with any sights.
For any that’s interested, take a look on YouTube, Gamo Running Deer to see it. If I was media literate I’d post the link to it, but, that ain’t gonna happen.
Maybe doodaddy can.
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Re: Cataract removal - new lenses.

Post by JohnHenry »

Merlin, I had the same fear about someone messing with my eye. Before the procedure, I told the nurse I was anxious about the operation. She gave me a small amount of liquid valium. Soon I was a happy camper. It relaxed me. The operation takes about ten minutes. There is no pain since they have given you a large amount of eye drops to deaden the eye before the procedure. It's really nothing operation pain wise. The result is well worth it.
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Re: Cataract removal - new lenses.

Post by Merlin »

Had all the tests done yesterday and I'm scheduled to go in a week. After extended conversations about what the lenses could do I went with the super duper lenses - read most $$$... LOL. I'll have both eyes redone in a little less than a month. I guess now all I need to do is be patient and have a little faith. Be shooting again in about 3 months.

Thanks to all who helped with my decision.
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Re: Cataract removal - new lenses.

Post by No1_49er »

You will not regret it. It's not just the shooting that benefits: all sorts of things, such as night driving, become so much less tiring. Failing eyesight is horrible.
Had both mine done two years ago, about a month apart. Superb anaesthetist; was aware that "something was happening", but other than that, only about fifteen minutes while "the lights were out". Virtually instant awakening after the surgery, and discharged soon after that.
The longest part of the whole procedure was the administration, by droplet, of the preliminary anaesthetic to the eyeball. And, there is no pain; the eyeball doesn't seem to have the sort of nervous system which indicates pain.
Being patient has its virtues. Be a patient patient :) And heed the after-care advise.
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Re: Cataract removal - new lenses.

Post by JohnHenry »

Marlin, you are smart having the "super dooper" lenses implanted. That's what I did, and I've never regretted it.
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Re: Cataract removal - new lenses.

Post by Merlin »

Got the lens replacement done to my right eye on Tuesday and my follow up the next day. Fourth day now and I'm not quite blind as I can see light areas like sun through widows while in a dark room but I can't see any shapes or colors just light and dark. I can detect movement of dark objects in front of my face with light behind them but not light colored objects. My surgeon has seen me a couple of times now and councils patience and tells me not to worry.

I am worried non the less.
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Re: Cataract removal - new lenses.

Post by No1_49er »

My surgeon was very insistent that the eye-patch was not to be removed, other than by her. Yes, her.
Important to exclude all direct light until she was happy that examination showed everything to be OK.
Result? Excellent vision, both eyes now.
Hurry slowly, I think is the best advice
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Re: Cataract removal - new lenses.

Post by RBriscoe »

Merlin wrote: Thu Dec 23, 2021 12:52 pm Been having a lot of problems shooting iron sights the past couple of years so I (finally) scheduled with a specialist to have them checked out. My eye Dr. informed me it was time to get the cataracts removed from my eyes. I understand this is a pretty typical procedure for older people. I would ask those in the know how this affected their shooting and if there are specifics I need to be aware of. I have not spoken to a DR. who performs these procedures and would feel better if I know some specifics to allow me to ask the right questions prior to my visit in a couple of weeks.
I'm late to this discussion, Merlin. Has your vision improved in the eye that the lens was replaced? Your experience is not normal. Not at all. Something went wrong. I hope you have put off having the procedure done on the second eye. You should probably seek a second opinion about the procedure and I would see a different doctor going forward.

I have had the procedure done to both my eyes and I had the single vision implants put in without regard to shooting iron sights. One took longer than the other to settle down as I apparently got a scratch on that eye (the second one) some how or other. It is a mature technology and, I am told, the most common surgery because most people have it done twice. I went from nearly 20-400 to just over 20-40 and deal with the adjustment and astigmatism in my glasses although I can get around the house without them now.

I have only shot with a scope for a number of years now, but will be playing with irons on a lever action rifle soon. We'll see what I need to do for that.
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Re: Cataract removal - new lenses.

Post by Merlin »

Just in from my third post op. After examination I am now scheduled to go in for laser cleanup of scarred areas left from cataract removal. Also said something about problems with the "flap" sealing properly. Again assured that all is well and nothing to worry about. I did cancel my left eye surgery with a thought of wait and see prior to any further commitments. Dr. is one of the highest rated surgeons of his type in the state so I am not quite ready to panic.... but I'm not feeling warm and fuzzy at all.
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Re: Cataract removal - new lenses.

Post by RBriscoe »

I’m glad you cancelled the second procedure. I’m still thinking you should get a second opinion. I’m very concerned that this doctor is apparently trying to convince you that something very far outside the range of normal is okay.
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Re: Cataract removal - new lenses.

Post by thauglor »

RBriscoe wrote: Wed Feb 09, 2022 11:18 pm I’m glad you cancelled the second procedure. I’m still thinking you should get a second opinion. I’m very concerned that this doctor is apparently trying to convince you that something very far outside the range of normal is okay.
And your medical degree is in what? As Merlin said, he has one of the top rated surgeons handling this, I would still trust him
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